Ecological Restoration of Aquatic and Semi-Aquatic Ecosystems in the Netherlands (NW Europe)

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-vii

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2. Introduction

   1. Ecological restoration of aquatic and semi-aquatic ecosystems in the Netherlands: an introduction

      • P. H. Nienhuis, R. D. Gulati

      Pages 1-6

3. Case Studies

   1. Ecological restoration in coastal areas in the Netherlands: concepts, dilemmas and some examples

      • V. N. de Jonge, D. J. de Jong

      Pages 7-28

   2. Restoration of salt marshes in the Netherlands

      • J. P. Bakker, P. Esselink, K. S. Dijkema, W. E. van Duin, D. J. de Jong

      Pages 29-51

   3. Ecological rehabilitation of the lowland basin of the river Rhine (NW Europe)

      • P. H. Nienhuis, A. D. Buijse, R. S. E. W. Leuven, A. J. M. Smits, R. J. W. de Nooij, E. M. Samborska

      Pages 53-72

   4. Lakes in the Netherlands, their origin, eutrophication and restoration: state-of-the-art review

      • Ramesh D. Gulati, Ellen van Donk

      Pages 73-106

   5. The restoration of fens in the Netherlands

      • Leon P. M. Lamers, Alfons J. P. Smolders, Jan G. M. Roelofs

      Pages 107-130

   6. Towards a decision support system for stream restoration in the Netherlands: an overview of restoration projects and future needs

      • P. F. M. Verdonschot, R. C. Nijboer

      Pages 131-148

   7. Restoration of brook valley meadows in the Netherlands

      • A. P. Grootjans, J. P. Bakker, A. J. M. Jansen, R. H. Kemmers

      Pages 149-170

   8. Restoration of aquatic macrophyte vegetation in acidified and eutrophicated shallow soft water wetlands in the Netherlands

      • J. G. M. Roelofs, E. Brouwer, R. Bobbink

      Pages 171-180

   9. Restoration of coastal dune slacks in the Netherlands

      • A. P. Grootjans, H. W. T. Geelen, A. J. M. Jansen, E. J. Lammerts

      Pages 181-203

   10. A review of the past and present status of anadromous fish species in the Netherlands: is restocking the Rhine feasible?

       • S. J. de Groot

       Pages 205-218

4. Synthesis

   1. The state of the art of aquatic and semi-aquatic ecological restoration projects in the Netherlands

      • P. H. Nienhuis, J. P. Bakker, A. P. Grootjans, R. D. Gulati, V. N. de Jonge

      Pages 219-233

This work presents the state of the art of aquatic and semi-aquatic ecological restoration projects in The Netherlands. Starting from the conceptual basis of restoration ecology, the successes and failures of hundreds of restoration projects are described. Numerous successful projects are mentioned. In general ecological restoration endeavours greatly benefit from the progressive experience achieved in the course of the years. Failures mainly occur through insufficient application of physical, chemical or ecological principles. Spontaneous colonization by plants and animals, following habitat reconstruction, is preferred. However, sometimes the re-introduction of keystone species (e.g. eelgrass, salmon, beaver) is necessary in case the potential habitats are isolated or fragmented, or if a seed bank is lacking, thus not allowing viable populations to develop. Re-introducing traditional management techniques (e.g. mowing without fertilization, low intensity grazing) is important to rehabilitate the semi-natural and cultural landscapes that are so characteristic for The Netherlands.

• Eutrophication
• ecological principles
• ecology
• ecosystem
• vegetation
• wetland

• Department of Environmental Studies, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands

  P. H. Nienhuis

• Centre for Limnology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology, Nieuwersluis, The Netherlands

  P. H. Nienhuis, R. D. Gulati

Policies and ethics